Pain Management: Non-Opioid Solutions for Lasting Relief
If you suffer from physical pain—whether it's acute or chronic—Garcia Family Medicine offers a specialized, non-opioid approach to pain management, designed by Dr. Tess. We focus on providing effective relief for various types of pain while avoiding the risks associated with opioid medications. Our treatment strategies address the underlying causes of pain, empowering patients to regain control of their lives and well-being.
At Garcia Family Medicine, pain management is integrated into our Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, where it is part of our primary care membership. We do not have a separate pain management membership. Keeping it part of primary care provides whole-person care that is not focused solely on the patient’s pain. Too often, chronic pain patients allow pain to take over their lives, as a result letting it take over their health care. The danger is when the doctor also perceives it as the sole focus of the patient’s care. Keeping it part of a primary care membership makes it possible to keep the pain in its proper perspective: simply a part of a patient’s total health care.
What Is Pain Management?
Pain management involves the medical evaluation and treatment of various forms of pain. Whether the pain is the result of an acute injury or a chronic condition, it can have a significant impact on quality of life. The goal of pain management is not just to reduce discomfort but to address the underlying causes, enabling patients to regain function and improve their quality of life. At Garcia Family Medicine, we specialize in non-opioid treatments for pain, emphasizing long-term solutions over temporary fixes.
Benefits of Non-Opioid Pain Management
Non-opioid pain management focuses on treating pain effectively without the risks associated with opioid medications. Opioids, while powerful for short-term pain relief, come with significant drawbacks, including the risk of addiction, dependency, and a range of side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and constipation. At Garcia Family Medicine, our non-opioid pain relief options offer patients safer, long-term solutions for managing pain. Some key benefits of non-opioid treatments include:
- Lower Risk of Addiction
Opioid addiction has become a serious health crisis, with millions of people affected worldwide. By focusing on non-opioid treatments, we reduce the risk of addiction and dependency, while still providing effective pain relief. Non-opioid treatments offer a sustainable way to manage pain without compromising overall health.
- Minimal Side Effects
Opioid use is associated with a range of side effects, including dizziness, nausea, constipation, and sedation, which can interfere with daily life. Non-opioid treatments typically have fewer and milder side effects, allowing patients to manage pain without disrupting their normal activities.
- Long-Term Pain Relief
Many opioid medications only provide short-term pain relief, meaning patients may require higher doses over time to achieve the same effect. Non-opioid pain management techniques, such as physical therapy, injections, and lifestyle changes, address the root causes of pain and offer lasting relief.
- Immediate Relief of Pain
Specifically, with our Non-opioid Back Pain Relief Protocol, the patient experiences immediate and long-term relief of pain, as well as return of function with one injection. Opioids provide a decrease in pain, rather than a cessation, or, at worst, they simply space out the patient so he/she is less aware of the pain that is still there.
- More Personalized Care
Because non-opioid treatments are tailored to the individual patient, they offer a more personalized approach to pain management. Treatments may include a combination of physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractics, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and targeted medications, all designed to suit the specific needs of the patient.
- Enhanced Mobility and Function
Non-opioid treatments focus on improving the patient’s overall physical function and mobility, which is crucial for long-term pain relief. Whether through physical therapy, manual therapy, or non-invasive interventions, patients can regain strength and movement, helping them return to daily activities without reliance on opioids.
The Role of Direct Primary Care (DPC) in Pain Management
Our Direct Primary Care (DPC) model provides a patient-focused and cost-effective way to manage pain without the complications and expenses associated with traditional insurance. For patients experiencing chronic or acute pain, DPC offers:
Personalized Treatment Plans
- Individualized approaches to managing pain based on patient history and goals.
- Holistic strategies that address the root causes of pain.
Direct Access to Your Doctor
- Communicate with your doctor via phone, email, or text for ongoing support.
- No need to wait for appointments for urgent needs.
Regular Follow-Up Care
- Frequent visits to adjust treatments as needed.
- Continuous monitoring to ensure long-term effectiveness of pain management.
With DPC, pain management becomes part of a comprehensive, ongoing care plan. Rather than paying per visit or dealing with insurance approvals, patients have easy access to continuous support, making it easier to find effective, non-opioid solutions for pain relief.
Cost Savings of Non-Opioid Pain Management in the DPC Model
The DPC model provides substantial savings compared to traditional insurance-based care, especially for patients managing chronic pain. Traditional pain management often involves numerous co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses for procedures, tests, and treatments.
| Service | Traditional Insurance Model | Direct Primary Care (DPC) Model |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | $400 - $600 | $75 - $100 per person |
| Deductible | $1,000 - $7,000/year | No deductible |
| Co-Pays for Doctor Visits | $20 - $50/visit | No co-pays |
| Out-of-Pocket Costs for Treatments | Varies by treatment (e.g., physical therapy, injections) | Lower costs for procedures such as injections |
| Cost of Diagnostic Tests (e.g., X-rays) | $500 - $1,000 (after deductible) | $30 - $300 for radiology |
| Medication Costs | Dependent on insurance and prescription coverage | Access to affordable non-opioid alternatives |
| Specialist Visits | $100 - $500 per visit (referral needed) | Typically unnecessary due to comprehensive care by primary doctor |
Example Scenario: Treating Chronic Back Pain
Let’s look at the cost differences for a patient suffering from chronic lower back pain who requires ongoing treatment:
Traditional Insurance Model
- Monthly Premium: $600
- Co-pay for each doctor visit: $25
- Pain Relief Injections: $500 per injection (3 injections/year = $1,500)
- Diagnostic X-rays: $1,000 - $3,000 (for one MRI)
- Total Annual Cost: $10,000 (excluding the cost of medications)
DPC Model
- Monthly Membership Fee: $75 - $100
- Co-pay for visits: $0 (included in membership)
- Pain Relief Injections: $100 (3 injections/year = $300)
- Diagnostic X-rays: $300 - $400 (for one MRI)
- Total Annual Cost: $1,800 (with comprehensive care included)
By choosing the DPC model, the patient saves over $8,200 annually while receiving more personalized, direct care for their chronic pain.
Garcia Family Medicine also provides some pain management services without requiring a DPC membership. People with acute injuries can come in for one or two visits as needed, particularly for our Non-Opioid Back Pain Relief Protocol.
Many people experience acute onset of back pain from lifting a heavy object incorrectly or even non-lifting events. This pain can severely limit movement, such as the inability to bend, straighten, or lie comfortably. Traditional medicine often assumes these injuries are spinal—such as a ruptured disc or pinched nerve—requiring expensive CT scans, MRIs, or physical therapy.
Dr. Garcia evaluates patients thoroughly and often finds that pain originates from spasms in the paraspinal muscles (the muscles on either side of the spine). After identifying the source through history and physical exams, Dr. Garcia administers an injection directly into the affected muscle. This injection typically provides immediate pain relief, restores mobility, and relaxes the muscle.
The long-term effect of the injection continues to alleviate pain, often without the need for ongoing treatment. A follow-up visit in two weeks is recommended, though many patients require no further intervention. In rare cases of recurrence, the injection may be repeated after three months, though recurrences have not been common in our experience.
Understanding the Value of Non-Opioid Pain Management
The DPC model combined with non-opioid pain management offers a comprehensive, cost-effective solution for patients suffering from pain. Here’s a comparison of the benefits of non-opioid treatments versus opioid treatments in managing chronic or acute pain:
| Benefit | Non-Opioid Pain Management | Opioid Pain Management |
|---|---|---|
| Risk of Addiction | Minimal to none | High |
| Side Effects | Fewer and milder (e.g., localized swelling, mild discomfort) | Sedation, nausea, constipation, addiction |
| Long-Term Effectiveness | Focus on addressing root causes, promoting lasting relief | Tends to lose effectiveness over time, leading to higher doses |
| Patient Independence | Empowers patients to manage pain without drug dependence | Risk of dependence, requiring continual prescription management |
| Comprehensive Care | Involves ancillary treatments like physical therapy, injections, chiropractics, and lifestyle changes | Often focuses only on symptom relief rather than addressing the underlying issue |
By choosing non-opioid pain management, patients benefit from safer, more sustainable pain relief options. Combined with the Direct Primary Care model, these treatments are more affordable, accessible, and tailored to each individual’s unique health needs.
Conclusion: DPC and Non-Opioid Pain Management for Lasting Relief
At Garcia Family Medicine, we believe that pain relief should be effective, accessible, and free from the risks associated with opioids. Our Direct Primary Care model not only offers cost savings but also provides a pathway to comprehensive, non-opioid pain management that focuses on long-term relief and improved quality of life.
